BILL NUMBER: SCR 18	CHAPTERED  06/08/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   47
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JUNE 8, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   JUNE 2, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 27, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 20, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Baca
   (Coauthors:  Senators Alpert and Solis)
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Briggs, Campbell, Cox, Honda, Knox,
Maddox, Margett, Oller, Romero, and Washington)

                        FEBRUARY 23, 1999

   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 18--Relative to Reflex
Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 18, Baca.  Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome
Awareness Month.
   This measure would proclaim May 1999 as Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome Awareness Month.




   WHEREAS, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome, a
progressive multisymptom, multisystem, neuromuscular, neurovascular
disorder, is a debilitating disease simultaneously involving nerves,
muscles, blood vessels, skin, bones, and tissue; and
   WHEREAS, It can develop after an injury, minor or major, and
generally occurs in a limb; and
   WHEREAS, RSD attacks the sympathetic nervous system, causing it to
become confused, leading to a variety of symptoms, resulting in
devastating consequences; and
   WHEREAS, If left untreated, or mistreated, RSD begins to damage
the surrounding tissues and can spread to other areas of the body and
ultimately lead to total disability; and
   WHEREAS, Early diagnosis is crucial.  There is a short "window of
time" during which RSD can possibly be helped, usually within the
first three months after onset; and
   WHEREAS, Correct aggressive treatment by qualified medical
professionals can lead to a positive result; and
   WHEREAS, As RSD progresses, treatment becomes increasingly
difficult; and
   WHEREAS, Although millions are affected with RSD, it is not well
known by the public or some medical professionals, and this lack of
knowledge causes many patients to suffer needlessly for many years;
and
   WHEREAS, RSD knows no age limit and can strike young and old; and
   WHEREAS, Other events that can cause RSD include infections, cuts,
pricks of fingers or toes, soft tissue injuries, crush injuries,
injury to any area rich in nerve endings, fractures, sprains,
dislocations, broken bones, multiple trauma to a particular body
part, some surgical procedures, invasive procedures, and repetitive
motion disorders, such as that which causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome;
and
   WHEREAS, Some signs and symptoms of RSD include severe burning
pain in a localized region that is out of proportion to the severity
of the injury, localized edema or swelling that may not always be
apparent in the later stages, hyperesthesia, which is oversensitivity
to touch and light pressure, vasospasm, which affects color and
temperature of skin, muscle atrophy, constant burning pain, decreased
range of motion, muscle spasms, stiffness, restricted mobility, and
rapid hair and nail growth; and
   WHEREAS, RSD sufferers may experience some or all of the signs and
symptoms.  The one common element is constant burning pain, the
intensity of which can fluctuate; and
   WHEREAS, Although RSD dates to before the Civil War, there is no
known cure; and
   WHEREAS, The medical professionals must find the cause before they
can find the cure; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature does hereby proclaim May
1999 as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome Awareness Month.
